Lottery to continue for school admissions, not exams

The long-standing debate between teachers and guardians over whether to use a lottery or entrance tests for student admissions to government and private secondary schools has finally been settled — at least for now. 

The Ministry of Education has decided to retain the digital lottery system for the upcoming 2026 academic year.

The decision was made at a meeting held on Wednesday, October 29, chaired by Rehana Parveen, Secretary of the Secondary and Higher Education Division. 

Officials confirmed that the ministry will soon publish the updated admission policy, keeping the existing lottery-based process in place for both government and private institutions.

The move aims to ensure transparency and equal opportunity in the admission process, amid differing opinions from guardians who favour entrance exams and teachers who argue for maintaining the current digital lottery system.